Chapter 73

I refused to take the envelope. “Never, Tacoma. You earned that money. All of it. I intend on sending you more later when you write. Snail mail, of course. I hate email.”

He smiled, leaned into me, and kissed my cheek, my lips, and my neck. I became woozy. “You’re an old fool.”

“Yes, you could say that. A thirty-six-year-old fool who likes you.”

“You’ve been too kind to me all summer long, Robert.”

“It doesn’t matter about my kindness. I want you to be safe in the months to come in California. Someone has to look out for you. The money will help you.” I couldn’t help myself, leaned into his muscled body and hugged him, held him close, and breathed him in; he still smelled of the pool’s chlorine.

Again, he kissed me, this time on one cheek, and then my other cheek, just as Rose had often done.

“Dammit,” I whispered, pulled away, stung by his lips.

He was surprised, asked, “What is it?”